Final Lab Visit

Today is our final visit (we hope) to the lab for 6 (yes 6!) vials of blood to be taken out of my arm ... a kind of smear test for Strep B and a urine test.

Test results take a little longer - I have to go back Saturday to get them.

The smear test is to avoid the infection that babies can get when in the birth canal during birth.

Next appointment is Monday to find out if we need a c-section or not now.

Regular Gyne appointment

Into Montpellier today for my gyne appointment - 34 weeks..

The baby is a good weight - I've only gained 1 kilo since the last RDV. The baby is apparently very high and he doesn't think it's going to come out on it's own!

We have another appointment on 15th September to make a decision about whether to let nature take it's course or book a c-section in... depending on the weight and position of the baby. The c-section would be booked for the last week in September - i.e. a week before the normal due date of 5th October, so the baby doesn't get too big.

29th August I'm off to the clinique for the epidural appointment and have a prescription to go to the lab (after 5th September) for more toxoplasmosis tests and a vaginal swab to test for Strep B for the birth.

I asked why the baby wasn't decending as normal (same thing happened with baby no 1) - he said during the last c-section he noticed no malformation of my uterus and it's just one of those things.

Euro45 for the appointment.

Routine Gyne appointment

Just a normal appointment today for a once over. All is well - he checks the cervix, measures my belly, weighs me (I've gained 5 kilos and he doesn't complain...) and checks my boobs. No problems at all.

I come away with a prescription for another toxoplasmosis test and some iron supplements for my feeble blood count.

Back there in a month - Euro45 for today.

My next gyne appointment - 19 weeks

Just a normal check up. All is well - he says I've only gained 2 kilos - I think his scales are broke!

I come away with a prescription to go to the lab. for a diabetes test (more on that later) and a toxoplasmosis test.

I also get a prescription for my 2nd and big scan to be taken at the end May / Beg June, I have to go to an expert scanning chappy (the same guy that did the scan when I had my amnio) ..... a bit of paper for me to book an appointment to have a check up for an epidural for the end of August.... and a bit of paper to book me into the clinique... phew!

Euro45 and I'm back home smartish as we are moving home today - I wouldn't have booked a gyne appointment for today normally, but the doctor was off sick on Monday and I got my appointment changed...

Declaration de Grossesse

I went back to the GP today - with my blood test results in hand - I want to get my paperwork in order so that the Caisse Maladie (CPAM) and CAF (child benefit people) are all informed.

This paper needs to be completed and sent off before the 14 week of pregnancy.

I read on www.magicmaman.fr that the maternity leave minimum in France is 6 weeks before the birth and 10 weeks after - all of which is paid as your full salary, from the social security instead of from your company.

I also nip into the Laboratoire to check on what I need to do for my next blood tests as I am not immune to Toxoplasmosis - I have to be tested each month for this. I'm given a little bottle for the urine test (no eating before) and have to do a blood test too, which I can eat before...